CharlieCard
![Photo of CharlieCard](https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/styles/max_2600x2600/public/media/2019-01/charliecard_0.png?itok=N_Ftn6mJ)
CharlieCards are reusable cards that can be loaded with cash value or passes to pay bus and subway fares. CharlieCards are available at fare vending machines in most subway stations.
If you don’t have a CharlieCard, you can also pay your fare with:
- Contactless payment by tapping your contactless debit/credit card, phone, or watch with a mobile wallet on bus and subway
- CharlieTicket, a tappable ticket that can be loaded with subway, bus, Commuter Rail, and ferry tickets or passes
- mTicket, an Android and iPhone app for Commuter Rail and ferry tickets or passes
- Cash at onboard fare boxes on buses or load a CharlieCard onboard with in the event you expect change
Note: For street-level Green Line and Mattapan trolleys, we encourage riders to use exact change, contactless payment, or to load a CharlieCard at their nearest fare vending machine prior to travel as change will not be provided.
MyCharlie
Already have a CharlieCard? Register your card with MyCharlie to protect it against loss, theft, or damage.
Should I get a CharlieCard?
The type of MBTA pass you use depends on which modes you take and how often you take them.
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CharlieCard
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Best for frequent subway and bus riders
Easily tap into stations and vehicles
Online card management and protection
Activate at fare gates
Not valid on Commuter Rail or ferry, except for the Fairmount Line -
CharlieTicket
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Great for visitors
Great for Commuter Rail and ferry riders who also take the subway and bus
Available at all fare vending machines
Commuter Rail and ferry passes also valid on bus and subway
Activate at purchase
Limited or no transfers when loaded with cash value
No online management or protectionPlease note, CharlieTickets with stored value expire 18 months from the purchase date.
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Contactless payment
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Best for visitors and regular bus and subway riders
Easy to tap and go
Can connect with reduced fare benefits
Online card management
Not valid on Commuter Rail or ferry
Not compatible with daily, weekly, or monthly passes
Valid on:
Subway
Bus
Silver Line
Mattapan Line -
mTicket
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Best for Commuter Rail and ferry riders who don’t often take the subway or bus
$10 discount on monthly passes
Instant purchase on smartphone
Online account management
No transfers to other modes
Been a While Since You've Taken the T?
![The counters at the CharlieCard Store, labeled 1-6, with some screens drawn down to allow for photos to be taken, and four riders getting service.](https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/styles/max_2600x2600/public/media/2020-11/2020-11-03-charliecard-store-reopening-covid-0555.jpg?itok=j5yd5z2T)
Check the expiration date on your CharlieCard. If your card is expired, you may be able to transfer the balance to a new card.
Where can I get a CharlieCard?
You can get a CharlieCard from any of our upgraded fare vending machines, or from MBTA staff at most subway stations and select bus stations.
Note: CharlieCards are not available at the following fare vending machines:
- Boston Convention & Exhibition Center
- Fenway Park
- Lynn Busway
- Museum of Fine Arts
- Woburn Anderson
- Worcester Union Station
You can also get a CharlieCard from any of the locations below.
You can get a free, blank CharlieCard at these locations:
City of Boston
1 City Hall Square
Boston, MA 02201
- City Hall main lobby
- First floor entrance
- Entrance to mayor’s office
- Cambridge City Hall
- City Clerk
- 795 Massachusetts Avenue, 1F
- Cambridge, MA 02139
Cambridge City Hall Annex
Community Development Department
344 Broadway, 3rd Floor
Cambridge, MA 02139
- Cambridge Multi Service Center
- 362 Green Street, 1st Floor
- Cambridge, MA 02139
Hours:
- Monday, 8:30 AM – 8 PM
- Tuesday – Thursday, 8:30 AM – 5 PM
- Friday, 8:30AM – 12 PM
- Cambridge Parking Services
- 344 Broadway
- Cambridge, MA 02139
- Cambridge Veterans Services
- 51 Inman St
- Cambridge, MA 01239
Chelsea City Hall
500 Broadway
Chelsea, MA 02150
Greater Ashmont Main Street
1914 Dorchester Ave
Dorchester, MA 02124
Lynn City Hall
3 City Hall Square
Lynn, MA 01901
Mattapan Square Main Streets
1594 Blue Hill Ave
Mattapan, MA 02126
Revere Healthy Community Initiatives
City Hall
281 Broadway
Revere, MA 02151
Salem Public Library
370 Essex St
Salem, MA 01970
Salem Parking Department
Within the Downtown Parking Garage
1 New Liberty Street
Salem, MA 01970
Mayor Jean A. Levesque Community Life Center
401 Bridge St
Salem, MA 01970
Watertown Town Hall
Administration Building
149 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472
- Clerk's Office (Ground floor)
- Treasurer's Office (1st floor)
- Community Development and Planning Department (3rd floor)
Watertown Free Public Library
123 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Winthrop Public Library
2 Metcalf Square
Winthrop, MA 02152
You can get a free, blank CharlieCard at any Boston public library location.
You can get a free, blank CharlieCard at these Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston:
- Edgerley Family South Boston Club
- 230 West Sixth Street
- Boston, MA 02127
- Yawkey Club of Roxbury
- 115 Warren Street
- Roxbury, MA 02119
- Jordan Club
- 30 Willow Street
- Chelsea, MA 02150
- Sumner Club
- 15 Basile Street
- Roslindale, MA 02131
- Berkshire Partners Blue Hill Club
- 15 Talbot Avenue
- Dorchester, MA 02124
- Charlestown Club
- 15 Green Street
- Boston, MA 02129
- Franklin Hill Club
- 5 Shandon Road
- Boston, MA 02124
- Orchard Gardens Club
- 2 Dearborn Street
- Roxbury, MA 02119
Stores throughout Greater Boston offer blank CharlieCards. You can also buy passes for any mode or load value onto your CharlieCard at these locations.
Visit the Charlie Service Center at 296 Washington St to get a free, blank CharlieCard, load cash value or passes to a card, replace a lost or damaged card, or apply for a reduced fare card.
CharlieCard Services
Register your CharlieCard with MyCharlie to protect it against loss, theft, or damage. The MBTA can also help you replace your card or consolidate multiple cards.
Replace an Expired Card and Transfer a Balance
CharlieCard expiration dates are located on the lower right-hand corner, across from the serial number. If an expiration date is not printed on your card, you can check at your nearest fare vending machine.
We can transfer stored value and passes from an expired CharlieCard to a new one. Visit the Charlie Service Center at 296 Washington St.
Or, mail your expired card to the MBTA Revenue Department—you’ll receive your new CharlieCard in 7 – 10 business days.
MBTA Revenue Department
10 Park Plaza
Room 4730
Boston, MA 02116
If you registered your CharlieCard online, log into your MyCharlie account, or call CharlieCard Support at 888-844-0355 for more information.
Eligible riders can renew or replace their Senior, Blind Access, or TAP CharlieCard online or can do so by calling Customer Support at 617-222-3200.
Learn more about reduced fares
Riders can also visit the Charlie Service Center. After you apply, you’ll get a 30-day temporary reduced fare CharlieCard while your new pass is mailed to you.
Or, mail your expired CharlieCard to the center, and your new card will be mailed within 7 – 10 business days.
Charlie Service Center
296 Washington St
Boston, MA 02108
First, contact your program administrator for a new card.
We can only transfer stored value—passes cannot be transferred. To transfer a balance, bring your old and new cards to the Charlie Service Center at 296 Washington St.
Or, mail your expired card to the MBTA Revenue Department—you’ll receive your new CharlieCard in 7 – 10 business days.
- MBTA Revenue Department
- 10 Park Plaza
- Room 4730
- Boston, MA 02116
Note: If you are no longer with your employer, we can instead transfer stored value from your Corporate Perq Card onto a standard CharlieCard.
We can transfer stored value and passes from an expired Youth Pass or Student CharlieCard to a new one. To transfer a balance, bring your old and new cards to the Charlie Service Center at 296 Washington St.
Or, mail your expired card to the MBTA Revenue Department—you’ll receive your new CharlieCard in 7 – 10 business days.
- MBTA Revenue Department
- 10 Park Plaza
- Room 4730
- Boston, MA 02116
Note: Semester passes cannot be replaced at the Charlie Service Center. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
Other Services
Standard Fare CharlieCard
If your card is registered, call 888-844-0355 to get it replaced.
If your card is not registered, the MBTA can replace it if it’s damaged or malfunctioning. The MBTA cannot replace lost or stolen CharlieCards that are not registered.
Senior, Blind Access, or TAP CharlieCard
To replace your card, visit the Charlie Service Center at 296 Washington St or call Customer Support at 617-222-3200.
Corporate, Semester, or Student CharlieCard
Contact your pass program administrator to learn more about replacement cards.
You can order fares of $25 or more in advance by using our Group Orders program. You can purchase 1-way or round trip bus and subway fares, 1- or 7-day passes, or monthly passes for the bus and subway system.
Orders need to be placed at least 3 – 5 business days before your trip. Advance tickets and passes are not refundable or replaceable if lost or stolen.
Please note, there is no way to check your CharlieCard balance online. To check your balance, visit the nearest fare vending machine.
Sales Programs
MyCharlie
Already have a CharlieCard? Register your card with MyCharlie to protect it against loss, theft, or damage.
Been a While Since You've Taken the T?
![The counters at the CharlieCard Store, labeled 1-6, with some screens drawn down to allow for photos to be taken, and four riders getting service.](https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/styles/max_2600x2600/public/media/2020-11/2020-11-03-charliecard-store-reopening-covid-0555.jpg?itok=j5yd5z2T)
Check the expiration date on your CharlieCard. If your card is expired, you may be able to transfer the balance to a new card.